Mark Warburton believes Middlesbrough have sent out a clear message of intent with their summer transfer business – but wants his Nottingham Forest side to deliver one of their own at the City Ground on Saturday.

Garry Monk’s side have spent more than any of their Championship rivals in the summer transfer window, as they look to secure an immediate return to the top flight.

The £15m capture of Britt Assombalonga from Forest was one of six big money investments, all of which have cost Boro in excess of £40m, with Birmingham City defender Ryan Shotton their latest target.

Warburton admits he has a certain amount of admiration for Middlesbrough and their ambition.

Read More

But he wants to see his own players deliver a message of their own – to themselves – by proving that good performances will ultimately lead to good results.

Warburton has challenged his Forest players to repeat the performance levels they showed in the midweek defeat at Barnsley – and hopes they will this time get their rewards, when they face the division’s promotion favourites.

“You have to admire them, because of the manner in which they have made their intentions so very clear. There is no saying ‘let’s see how we go’. They have come straight out this summer and recruited significantly, in terms of the money they have spent and the type of players they have gone for,” said Warburton.

“They have a very strong playing squad. They will be working to help their squad gel, just as we are as well.

“We will respect them. But we are in good form and Tuesday night shows that we are making moves in the right direction. The players are gelling, they are settling in and I hope they are also enjoying the way we want to play.

Read More

“We look forward to what we know will be a very tough challenge. They have gone about their business and made significant recruitment. Good luck to them, because they have made their intentions very clear.

“They have good players, but so do we.

“I think we have proved that we can mix it with the big boys already. I think it is about us. It would send a message out to us. My biggest frustration about Tuesday was that the players did not get the rewards for their efforts. They improved the tempo, intensity and quality of play. We want them to make positive decisions; we want them to be confident in their forward play.

Nottingham Forest manager Mark Warburton (Image: Dan Westwell)

“But we want them to see the rewards for that and we did not get that. We have shown them the clips and what it shows is that we were very, very good for long periods of that game.

“And what we have do is keep on instilling these good habits and look to deliver another good performance. It will be another tough test but I hope very much that it is a packed City Ground again, because the support we have had so far has been magnificent.”

Warburton says belief is a key word for Forest – but he also feels that enjoyment is another vital factor.

Read More

“It is about belief but also about enjoying being a good player. You would not be at this club if you were not a good player,” he said. “Enjoy doing what you do. As basic as that sounds, if you enjoy going to work, regardless of the job you are in, you will perform better; you will do a better job.

“I hope the players enjoy it. We know they are fit and well, we feel as though we are in a good place.

“Every game is one we can win. We have to approach it that way. There is no lack of respect, because they are a side who have made their intentions very clear, they have recruited significantly over the summer; they have spent money and want an immediate return to the Premier League.

“We know we face a very stern challenge. But we are at the City Ground and our record there is good. Plus Tuesday night gave us a lot of confidence.”

Forest had 27 efforts on goal during a game they dominated for long spells at Oakwell – but they did have to overcome some early issues, when Barnsley made a bright start, exposing a lack of cover down the flanks as the Reds began with a three-man central defence.

Once Forest had quickly reverted to a more orthodox back-four, they quickly took charge.

And Warburton says they will give careful thought to their approach against Middlesbrough.

Read More

“We have to look at that. It was my mistake at the start, because we wanted Barrie (McKay) to push them back on their right side. As it turned out, Adam Hammill had too much space and we had to change it quickly,” he said.

“We looked far more settled and assured after that. Barrie settled quickly on the right and delivered the cross for the goal.

“This is football, we will look at the players we have available and the opposition and then we will hopefully make the right decision.”

Forest's Barrie McKay

There is clearly still some lingering frustration from Warburton about the outcome of Tuesday evening.

But he remains positive about Forest’s chances, as long as they can continue to perform.

“If I had some hair to tear out, I would be pulling away, yes. But we have watched the game back twice now and there are so many positive aspects of play. We had 27 efforts on goal, but we have to be more clinical. We got into good areas, we got bodies forward but we did not get the rewards that our good play deserved,” he said.